The Bombay High Court has issued a directive to the Maharashtra government to establish an expert panel within four weeks to conduct a comprehensive performance audit of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act. The court’s decision, announced Friday, aims to overhaul the existing legal framework to finally realize the “distant dream” of a slum-free Mumbai and other major urban centers across the state.
A bench comprising Justices G S Kulkarni and Advait Sethna emphasized that the Act must be made more efficient, noting that current town-planning ideals have largely “taken a backseat,” particularly regarding the management of public lands.
The High Court initiated the order through a suo motu plea, following a directive from the Supreme Court to review the efficacy and implementation of the state’s slum-related legislation. In its verdict, the court expressed deep concern over the “abysmal progress” of town planning in an international hub like Mumbai, where vast areas remain covered by slums.
“Any town planning which does not sail with the times is questionable,” the bench observed, highlighting the disconnect between the city’s 21st-century aspirations and its current reality.
The government has been given a one-month window to form a committee with adequate membership to evaluate the Act’s effectiveness. The panel’s primary objective will be to identify loopholes and recommend improvements that enable a “systematic and scientific approach” to urban redevelopment.
The court noted that while authorities have made efforts in the past, they have consistently failed to eradicate slums. The bench remarked that the task ahead is undoubtedly “herculean,” yet remains achievable if the state displays a “robust and genuine willingness to achieve public good.”
The bench urged the state to move away from piecemeal solutions in favor of area-wise planning. According to the court, the persistence of these issues reflects a serious need for the authorities and those implementing the Act to take their responsibilities more seriously.
The ruling serves as a call to action for those “at the helm” of Maharashtra’s governance to exercise the determination required to modernize the state’s approach to housing and public land use.
